on Snipe Racing and SCIRA

A: As Jerelyn Biehl put it, "Snipes are like children, they don't come with manuals!". Fortunately or unfortunately the Snipe is not a "manufacturers class" and as such, there is no "standard" manual. This means that many builders throughout the US and the world build Snipes which are constructed and rigged differently. The class publishes a set of rules that each builder must follow in order to maintain a one design class. Nonetheless, there is significant latitude in how they arrange the cockpit and rigging. Also since the Snipe was designed in 1931, significant innovations have occurred in the mast and rigging technology. In the past 30 years big jumps have taken place about every ten years, such as the lowering of boat weight (70s), lighter bendier masts (70s-80s), closed cell foams for coring (80s), boom-launched whisker pole launchers (80s-90s), mylar jibs (90s) and continuous development in deck hardware. If you have an older boat (earlier than 1980 or so) and your objective is to race competitively, it will more than likely need significant upgrades in the rigging.

The best source of information is other snipe sailors. Find a local US or non-US fleet, go visit with their members, and look at their boats. That is one of the best things about the Snipe Class, they are very willing to show you how their boats are rigged. We also have an article from Sailing World by Ed Adams showing the rigging in a 90's vintage Jibe Tech (good for all late model 1990's Snipes). There are also several other rigging articles on Snipe.org. You might also try and contact the builder if they are still in business.
 

A: We do not have much information on the site pertaining to wooden boats. There is an article by Christian Noe, who restored an older wooden to competitive condition and an article talking about others' experiences building a wooden Snipe. You could also try sending an inquiry to snipe-list@snipe.org asking for help.
 

A: The SCIRA Office maintains a Measurement Data Sheet (MDS) for every Snipe built that was registered with the class and assigned a hull number, dating back to Snipe #1. The MDS contains the builder and original owner information. Contact the SCIRA Office and talk to the Executive Director Jerelyn Biehl. Keep in mind that her job is to run the affairs of the class FOR DUES PAYING MEMBERS. Therefore, if you are going to utilize the class resources you should join the class. She will be happy to make you a class member over the phone.
 

A: See the classifieds page and check the used boats list. Also see the article "How to buy a used Snipe" by Mike McLaughlin. It is a free service and as such no promises are made as to the accuracy.
 

A: See the new Snipe builders page.
 

A: SCIRA is the Snipe Class International Racing Association and manages the affairs of the class. It is a volunteer organization except for the full time, payed Executive Director. See the SCIRA page for more details. The investment in SCIRA assures that the class will prosper as a one design class. See the article that Don Hackbarth, the Secretary of the Western Hemisphere and Orient, wrote on Why Join SCIRA.
 

A: If the manufacturer of your boat is still making Snipes, they will more than likely have replacement parts. Otherwise there are several very good suppliers of dinghy related sailing gear.

On the West Coast, try Sailing Supply. On the East Coast, try Annapolis Performance Sailing. Weathermark in Georgia carries a number of Snipe specific supplies, including masts, booms, and pole launcher kits. See the suppliers page for details.
 

A: Send the listing to webmaster@snipe.org Please include the hull number, manufacturer, type of mast, extras, type of trailer and condition of sails (if included), contact information and price. This is a free service. Please, if you sell the boat let the webmaster know so the boat can be taken off the list. This insures that the list is accurate. If you want advertise your boat in the Snipe Bulletin, contact the SCIRA Office. Price details are on the classifieds page.
 

A: Try the "Forum" version of the list. The last several months worth of postings are displayed. If you'd like to subscribe or unsubscribe, visit our Email List page.
 

A: Yes, the Book "Blue Prints to build your own Snipe", Price: $20.00, contains all the information needed to build a plywood Snipe and can be found on our Snipe Merchandise page.
 

A:We use a Mailman automated list server. You can subscribe and unsubscribe yourself by sending the proper commands to the server via e-mail. See the mailing list page for details.
 

A: Our site is hosted by the Sailing Source. We are given a very good price for the service, which includes the Majordomo list server. Contact them or see their site for more information on how to get your class on the web. Next you must find a volunteer (a technically adept person stupid enough to agree) willing to spend all of their free time maintaining the site.

A: Our policy on links is the following: If your site is of general interest to the Snipe community, for example a supplier of gear, parts or information, that is directly related to sailing and racing SNIPES, we will make a link. We have instituted this policy as it is too difficult to maintain a list of links that adds little value and is constantly changing. There are other MUCH BETTER lists available, such as the Smart Guide that can be used to find sailing related information.
 

A: Check out the merchandise page. The SCIRA Office sells a variety of Snipe related gear. Give the office a call; SCIRA takes credit cards!